Toyota recalls 6.4 million cars worldwide

The recalls cover 27 Toyota(TM) models -- including Camry, Corolla, Matrix and Highlander. Two of those models were made by joint manufacturing ventures and sold under other brands: the Pontiac Vibe and the Subaru Trezia. Some of the vehicles were made as early as 2004.

Toyota plans to inspect and, if necessary, replace parts including seat rails, steering column brackets, engine starters, windshield wiper motors and air bag cables, the company said in a statement.

That recall spanned 2009 and 2010, and was related to a problem involving sticky accelerator pedals. It cost the automaker an estimated $2 billion in repair costs and lost sales, before paying out for legal settlements.

The company said it learned of these problems as early as 2004, but only announced the recall two months ago. Thirteen deaths have been tied to the issue. Federal investigators, Congress and lawyers representing GM owners are investigating the delay.

--CNN's Junko Ogura contributed to this report

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated the number of cars that General Motors has recalled this year.